CLARCOR INC
10-Q, 1998-10-13
MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS & ACCESSORIES
Previous: AMBASE CORP, SC 13D, 1998-10-13
Next: CNA FINANCIAL CORP, SC 13D, 1998-10-13



<PAGE>   1


                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D. C. 20549
                                   _______

                                  FORM 10-Q
                              QUARTERLY REPORT
                                   _______




                   Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                       Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                   _______


                    For the quarter ended August 29, 1998
                                   _______




                   REGISTRANT:  CLARCOR Inc.   (Delaware)

                                      



<PAGE>   2




                                  FORM 10-Q
                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D. C. 20549


              QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                       SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For the Quarter Ended August 29, 1998             Commission File Number 1-11024

                                CLARCOR Inc.
           -----------------------------------------------------
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           DELAWARE                                              36-0922490
- -------------------------------                            --------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                             (I.R.S. Employer 
incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)


2323 Sixth Street, P.O. Box 7007, Rockford, Illinois                  61125
- ----------------------------------------------------              ------------
    (Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code            815-962-8867
                                                              ------------

                                  No Change
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                        if changed since last report.)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  X   No __

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the close of the period covered by this report.


                    24,395,240 common shares outstanding
                    ------------------------------------


                                Page 1 of 14





<PAGE>   3

Part I - Item 1
- ---------------

                                  CLARCOR Inc.
                     CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                             (Dollars in thousands)
                                 -------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          August 29,         November 30,
                     ASSETS                                  1998                1997
                                                          -----------        -----------
                                                          (unaudited)
<S>                                                       <C>                <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and short-term cash investments                    $   30,886         $   30,324
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for losses
    of $2,381 for 1998 and $2,106 for 1997                    66,450             62,387
  Inventories:
      Raw materials                                           18,597             19,980
      Work in process                                          8,655              8,547
      Finished products                                       34,606             29,755
                                                          -----------        -----------
         Total inventories                                    61,858             58,282
                                                          -----------        -----------
  Prepaid expenses                                             1,763              1,417
  Other current assets                                         5,303              8,117
                                                          -----------        -----------
            Total current assets                             166,260            160,527
                                                          -----------        -----------
Plant assets, at cost                                        189,224            180,619
   less accumulated depreciation                            (105,207)           (97,714)
                                                          -----------        -----------
                                                              84,017             82,905
                                                          -----------        -----------
Excess of cost over fair value of assets acquired,
   less accumulated amortization                              21,237             15,777
Pension assets                                                15,972             13,897
Other noncurrent assets                                       14,367              9,413
                                                          -----------        -----------
                                                          $  301,853         $  282,519
                                                          ===========        ===========
                  LIABILITIES

Current liabilities:
  Current portion of long-term debt                       $      604         $    1,140
  Accounts payable                                            24,849             22,168
  Income taxes                                                 5,614              4,944
  Accrued and other liabilities                               27,286             25,985
                                                          -----------        -----------
            Total current liabilities                         58,353             54,237
                                                          -----------        -----------
Long-term debt, less current portion                          36,713             37,656
Long-term pension liabilities                                  9,251              7,556
Other long-term liabilities                                   10,710             11,011
Minority interests                                               224                897

Contingencies

                  SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Capital stock                                                 24,395             16,162
Retained earnings                                            160,812            154,843
Other shareholders' equity                                     1,395                157
                                                          -----------        -----------
                                                             186,602            171,162
                                                          -----------        -----------
                                                          $  301,853         $  282,519
                                                          ===========        ===========
</TABLE>


            See Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
                                  Page 2 of 14

                                       


<PAGE>   4

                                  CLARCOR Inc.
                 CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                  (Dollars in thousands except per share data)
                                  (Unaudited)
                                   ---------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                         ----------------------------      -----------------------------
                                                            August 29,      August 30,         August 29,      August 30,
                                                               1998            1997               1998            1997
                                                         ------------     -----------      -------------     -----------
<S>                                                      <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>
Net sales                                                $    110,058       $ 104,636      $     315,110     $   288,278
Cost of sales                                                  75,360          72,525            216,788         201,793
                                                         ------------     -----------      -------------     -----------
  Gross profit                                                 34,698          32,111             98,322          86,485

Selling and administrative expenses                            21,680          18,576             62,999          53,737
Merger-related expenses                                           -               -                  -             2,972
                                                         ------------     -----------      -------------     -----------
  Operating profit                                             13,018          13,535             35,323          29,776
                                                         ------------     -----------      -------------     -----------
Other income (expense):
 Interest expense                                                (588)           (623)            (1,766)         (2,063)
 Interest income                                                  348             247                981             706
 Gain on sale of marketable securities                            -               -                  -             1,706
 Other, net                                                     1,112            (189)               698            (243)
                                                         ------------     -----------      -------------     -----------
                                                                  872            (565)               (87)            106
                                                         ------------     -----------      -------------     -----------
  Earnings before income taxes and
   minority interests                                          13,890          12,970             35,236          29,882

Provision for income taxes                                      5,154           4,848             13,112          11,634
                                                         ------------     -----------      -------------     -----------
  Earnings before minority interests                            8,736           8,122             22,124          18,248

Minority interests in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries              33             (37)                12             (98)
                                                         ------------     -----------      -------------     -----------
Net earnings                                             $      8,769     $     8,085      $      22,136     $    18,150
                                                         ============     ===========      =============     ===========
Net earnings per common share *
  Basic                                                  $       0.36     $      0.33      $        0.91     $      0.75
                                                         ============     ===========      =============     ===========
  Diluted                                                $       0.35     $      0.33      $        0.89     $      0.75
                                                         ============     ===========      =============     ===========
Average number of common shares outstanding *
  Basic                                                    24,435,749      24,216,525         24,366,254      24,100,431
                                                         ============     ===========      =============     ===========
  Diluted                                                  24,937,391      24,556,136         24,917,298      24,341,072
                                                         ============     ===========      =============     ===========
Dividends paid per share *                               $     0.1100     $    0.1083      $      0.3300     $    0.3250
                                                         ============     ===========      =============     ===========
</TABLE>


*Adjusted to reflect a three-for-two stock split effective April 24, 1998.


            See Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
                                  Page 3 of 14

                                       

<PAGE>   5


                                  CLARCOR Inc.
                CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (Dollars in thousands)
                                  (Unaudited)
                                   ---------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Nine Months Ended
                                                               ---------------------- 
                                                               August 29,   August 30,
                                                                  1998         1997
                                                               ---------    ---------
<S>                                                            <C>          <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings                                                 $  22,136       18,150
  Depreciation and amortization                                    9,600        9,114
  Gain on sale of marketable securities                              -         (1,706)
  Changes in assets and liabilities                               (5,886)      (2,117)
  Net gain on dispositions of plant assets                        (1,298)        (136)
  Other, net                                                         (12)         (98)
                                                               ---------    ---------
         Net cash provided by operating activities                24,540       23,207
                                                               ---------    ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Additions to plant assets                                      (10,447)      (7,524)
  Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired                     (7,984)        (796)
  Investment in affiliate                                           (523)         (36)
  Proceeds from sale of marketable securities                        -          3,322
  Proceeds from note receivable                                    2,500          -
  Dispositions of plant assets                                     2,160          408
                                                               ---------    ---------
         Net cash used in investing activities                   (14,294)      (4,626)
                                                               ---------    ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Borrowings under long-term debt                                    -          1,000
  Reduction of long-term debt                                     (2,241)     (13,739)
  Purchases of treasury stock                                     (1,135)         -
  Cash dividends paid                                             (8,023)      (7,616)
  Other, net                                                       1,758        1,255
                                                               ---------    ---------
         Net cash used in financing activities                    (9,641)     (19,100)
                                                               ---------    ---------
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash                          (43)         (80)
                                                               ---------    ---------
Net change in cash and short-term cash investments                   562         (599)

Cash and short-term cash investments,
  beginning of period                                             30,324       18,827
                                                               ---------    ---------
Cash and short-term cash investments,
  end of period                                                $  30,886    $  18,228
                                                               =========    =========

Cash paid during the period for:
  Interest                                                     $   1,972        2,563
                                                               =========    =========
  Income taxes                                                 $  11,044       10,300
                                                               =========    =========
</TABLE>

                                        
            See Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
                                  Page 4 of 14

                                       

<PAGE>   6




CLARCOR Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     The November 30, 1997 consolidated balance sheet data was derived from
     CLARCOR's year-end audited financial statements, but does not include all
     disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.  Certain
     information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial
     statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
     principles have been condensed or omitted.

     The consolidated condensed balance sheet as of August 29, 1998, the
     consolidated condensed statements of earnings and the consolidated
     condensed statements of cash flows for the periods ended August 29, 1998,
     and August 30, 1997, have been prepared by the Company without audit.  The
     financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as those in the
     Company's November 30, 1997 annual report to shareholders.  In the opinion
     of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring
     adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results
     of operations, and cash flows have been made. The results of operations
     for the period ended August 29, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the
     operating results for the full year.


2.   STOCK SPLIT AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

     On March 24, 1998, the Company declared a three-for-two stock split in
     the form of a 50% stock dividend distributable April 24, 1998 to
     shareholders of record April 10, 1998.  In connection therewith, the
     Company transferred $8,145 from retained earnings to common stock,
     representing the par value of additional shares issued.  All share and per
     share amounts for all periods presented have been adjusted to reflect the
     stock split.

     During the quarter ended February 28, 1998, the Company adopted
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share"
     (EPS), which simplifies the calculation of earnings per share and requires
     presentation of both basic and diluted earnings per share on the
     Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings.  Diluted earnings per share
     reflects the impact of outstanding stock options if exercised during the
     periods presented using the treasury stock method.  The following table
     provides a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators utilized in
     the calculation of basic and diluted EPS.




                                Page 5 of 14




<PAGE>   7

                                      


CLARCOR Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)  Continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.   STOCK SPLIT AND EARNINGS PER SHARE (Continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Quarter Ended           Nine Months Ended
                                                               -----------------------   -----------------------
                                                               August 29,   August 30,   August 29,   August 30,
                                                                  1998         1997         1998         1997
                                                               -----------------------   -----------------------
<S>                                                            <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>
Net Earnings (Numerator)                                           $8,769        $8,085     $22,136       $18,150
Basic EPS:
     Weighted average number of common
     shares outstanding (denominator)                          24,435,749    24,216,525  24,366,254    24,100,431
         Basic per share amount                                     $0.36         $0.33       $0.91         $0.75
Diluted EPS:
     Weighted average number of common
      shares outstanding                                       24,435,749    24,216,525  24,366,254    24,100,431
     Effect of dilutive securities due to
      stock options                                               501,642       339,611     551,044       240,641
                                                               ----------    ----------  ----------    ----------
     Diluted weighted average number
      of common shares outstanding
      (denominator)                                            24,937,391    24,556,136  24,917,298    24,341,072
     Diluted per share amount                                       $0.35         $0.33       $0.89         $0.75
</TABLE>

     The following options were not included in the computation of diluted
     earnings per share as the options' exercise prices were greater than the
     average market price of the common shares during the respective quarter and
     year-to-date periods:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Weighted
                                                      Average Exercise
                                        Options            Price
                                        -------       ----------------
<S>                                     <C>                <C>
Third quarter ended August 29, 1998     508,864            $19.86
Nine months ended August 29, 1998        74,239            $21.49
</TABLE>

3.   BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND MERGER-RELATED COSTS

     On February 20, 1998, the Company purchased Air Technologies, Inc.
     (ATI), an Ottawa, Kansas manufacturer of air filtration products for cash. 
     ATI is part of Airguard Industries Inc., a subsidiary of the Company. 
     During the third quarter of 1998, the Company purchased a small Airguard
     distributor for cash.  These acquisitions did not have a significant impact
     on the results of the Company.


                                 Page 6 of 14



<PAGE>   8




CLARCOR Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)  Continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.   BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND MERGER-RELATED COSTS (Continued)

     On February 28, 1997, the Company completed its acquisition of United
     Air Specialists, Inc. (UAS), a manufacturer of air quality equipment based
     in Cincinnati, Ohio.  The Company issued 1,622,612 shares (on a post-split
     basis) of its common stock in exchange for all the shares of UAS stock. 
     Additional shares of its common stock (approximately 191,385 shares on a
     post-split basis) will be issued upon exercise of UAS options.  The
     transaction has been structured as a statutory merger accounted for as a
     pooling of interests.   As a result of the acquisition, UAS became a
     subsidiary of the Company.  During the first quarter of 1997, the Company
     incurred a one-time pre-tax charge of $2,972 ($2,390 net of tax) covering
     the costs of the merger including legal and professional fees, non-compete
     agreements, and costs to integrate the businesses of the two companies.


4.   TREASURY STOCK TRANSACTIONS

     During the quarter ended August 29, 1998, the Company purchased and
     retired 65,000 shares of common stock held in treasury.  All such shares
     resumed the status of authorized and unissued shares of common stock of the
     Company. Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, the Company purchased
     and retired an additional 463,691 shares.


5.   SEGMENT DATA

     The Company operates in three principal product segments:  Engine/Mobile
     Filtration, Industrial/Environmental Filtration, and Consumer Packaging.
     The segment data for the quarter and nine-month periods ended August 29,
     1998 and August 30, 1997, respectively, are shown below.  Net sales
     represent sales to unaffiliated customers, as reported in the consolidated
     condensed statements of earnings.  Intersegment sales were not material.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1998                               1997
                                              ------------------------------   ----------------------------
                                              Quarter Ended        Nine        Quarter Ended       Nine
                     (Dollars in Thousands)     August 29         Months         August 30        Months
                                              ------------------------------   ----------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>              <C>           <C>
NET SALES BY SEGMENT:
  Engine/Mobile Filtration                          $ 56,936        $166,477         $ 54,247      $154,126
  Industrial/Environmental Filtration                 35,202          99,265           29,250        81,229
  Consumer Products                                   17,920          49,368           21,139        52,923
                                                    ------------------------         ----------------------
                                                    $110,058        $315,110         $104,636      $288,278
                                                    ========================         ======================
OPERATING PROFIT BY SEGMENT:                                                         
  Engine/Mobile Filtration                          $  9,990        $ 27,618         $  9,528      $ 24,875
  Industrial/Environmental Filtration                  1,996           3,866            1,435         2,421
  Consumer Products                                    1,032           3,839            2,572         5,452
                                                    ------------------------         ----------------------
                                                      13,018          35,323           13,535        32,748
  Merger-related expenses                                  -               -                -        (2,972)
                                                    ------------------------         ----------------------
                                                    $ 13,018        $ 35,323         $ 13,535      $ 29,776
                                                    ========================         ======================
</TABLE>

                                 Page 7 of 14

                                       

<PAGE>   9




Part II - Item 2

                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

               OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


On March 24, 1998, CLARCOR's Board of Directors declared a three-for-two stock
split of its common shares in the form of a 50% stock dividend effective April
24, 1998.  All appropriate amounts have been adjusted to reflect the stock
split.  On February 28, 1997, the Company completed the merger with United Air
Specialists, Inc. (UAS) which was accounted for as a pooling of interests, and
as a result, all periods presented include UAS.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

THIRD QUARTER 1998 COMPARED WITH THIRD QUARTER OF 1997.

CLARCOR's results of operations in the third quarter of 1998 reflect higher
sales levels and improved operating profit from the Company's two filtration
segments, but lower sales and operating profit from its Consumer Packaging
segment compared to the 1997 third quarter.

Net sales of $110,058,000 increased 5.2% over the 1997 quarter.  The
Engine/Mobile Filtration segment recorded increased sales of 5.0% over the 1997
quarter as a result of higher domestic sales of heavy-duty, light-duty and
railroad filtration products although international sales were lower in third
quarter, 1998.  The Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment recorded a
20.3% increase in sales over the 1997 quarter as a result of increased domestic
shipments which were partially offset by lower international sales.  The 1998
quarter also included sales from the acquisition of Air Technologies, Inc.
(ATI) in February 1998.  Excluding the third quarter sales from ATI, the
segment's sales increased approximately 12%.  Net sales for the Consumer
Packaging segment were 15.2% lower primarily as a result of reduced sales of
promotional products.  In addition, the 1997 quarter included sales from the
Tube Division which was sold during the fourth quarter, 1997.  Excluding the
1997 tube sales, sales from the segment's ongoing operations decreased
approximately 7.9% from 1997.

Operating profit for the third quarter 1998 decreased 3.8% from the 1997
quarter and resulted from increased profit levels from the filtration segments
offset by lower profit from the Consumer Packaging segment.  Competitive
pricing pressure in each segment continued to be offset by cost reductions and
productivity improvements.  The Engine/Mobile Filtration segment's operating
profit increased 4.8% on the strength of higher sales levels and productivity
increases but was negatively impacted by competitive pricing pressures.  The
segment's operating margin of 17.5% for the third quarter 1998 compared to
17.6% recorded in the same quarter of 1997.  Substantially improved operating
profit by the Industrial/Environment Filtration segment resulted from
significant increases in sales for the quarter and continued improvement in
manufacturing productivity at each location.  Operating profit of $1,032,000
from the Consumer Packaging segment was significantly lower than the 1997
quarter due to lower sales, primarily of promotional products, and a $1,600,000
charge during the quarter due to a customer bankruptcy.  During the second
quarter of 1998, approximately $500,000 was reserved due to anticipated
collection problems associated with this promotional customer.

Net other income of $872,000 included a $1,300,000 gain on the third quarter
1998 sale of a building that formerly housed the Consumer Packaging segment's
Tube Division, which was sold



                                 Page 8 of 14




<PAGE>   10




                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

         OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, Continued

in 1997.  Excluding the third quarter 1998 gain, net other expense totaled
$428,000 which compares to $565,000 recorded in the same quarter of 1997.  The
reduced net other expense for 1998 resulted principally from lower interest
expense and higher interest income.

Earnings before income taxes and minority interests increased to $13,890,000
from $12,970,000 recorded in the 1997 quarter primarily as a result of the
$517,000 decrease in operating profit offset by the $1,437,000 increase in net
other income.

The provision for income taxes increased to $5,154,000 in 1998 and the
effective tax rate was 37.1% and compares to 37.4% recorded in the 1997
quarter.

Net earnings for the quarter of $8,769,000 resulted in basic earnings per share
of $0.36 compared to $0.33 in 1997, an increase of 9.1%, and diluted earnings
per share increased 6.1% to $0.35 compared to $0.33 in the 1997 quarter.

NINE MONTHS 1998 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS OF 1997.

Net sales of $315,110,000 increased 9.3% from $288,278,000 reported for the
first nine months of fiscal 1997.  The Engine/Mobile Filtration segment
reported increased sales of 8.0% to $166,477,000 from $154,126,000 recorded in
1997.  This increase resulted from growth in heavy-duty and light-duty domestic
aftermarket sales and increased sales of filtration products for the railroad
industry.

The Company's Industrial/Environmental Filtration segment recorded increased
sales of 22.2% for 1998 over 1997.  This sales increase included a significant
sale in the first quarter of 1998 of gas turbine filtration equipment and
filters to an overseas buyer and higher domestic sales for both Airguard and
UAS compared to the nine month 1997 results.  Sales from ATI are also included
in 1998 from the acquisition date of February 20, 1998.

The Consumer Packaging segment reported a 6.7% decrease in sales for the 1998
nine-month period; however, the 1997 period included approximately $5,200,000
in sales from the segment's Tube Division which was sold in November 1997.
Excluding the sales from the Tube Division in 1997, the segment's 1998 sales
increased 3.4% for the nine-month period as a result of increased promotional
sales early in 1998.

Operating profit for the 1998 nine-month period was $35,323,000 that compares
to $29,776,000 in 1997.  The 1997 operating profit was reduced by
merger-related costs of $2,972,000.  Excluding the merger costs recorded in
1997, operating profit increased 7.9% to $35,323,000 in 1998 from $32,748,000
in 1997.  Operating profit was 11.2% of net sales in 1998 compared to 11.4%,
excluding the merger-related costs, in 1997.  The strength of the U.S. dollar
had a limited impact on operating profit from foreign sales in 1998.  Foreign
sales totaled approximately 17% of total net sales with the majority of those
sales denominated in U.S. dollars.

The Engine/Mobile Filtration segment recorded an operating profit increase of
11.0% in the 1998 nine-month period as a result of higher sales volumes offset
by competitive pricing pressures, continued productivity improvements, and
improved operating results for the segment's light-duty



                                 Page 9 of 14



<PAGE>   11


                                       

                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

         OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, Continued

product line from the 1997 nine-month period. The Industrial/Environmental
Filtration segment reported an increase of $1,445,000, or 59.7%, in operating
profit in 1998 due to increased sales volumes and productivity improvements
from both of the segment's operating companies.  The Consumer Packaging segment
reported significantly lower operating profit due to lower third quarter sales,
a significant charge of approximately $2,100,000 due a customer bankruptcy, and
the 1997 profit from the Tube Division which did not recur in 1998.

Net other expense of $87,000 in 1998 included the third quarter gain of
$1,300,000 and reduced interest expense and higher interest income than
recorded in 1997 as a result of lower debt and higher cash balances during the
1998 nine-month period.  The first quarter of 1997 also included a $1,706,000
gain from the sale of shares held by the Company in G.U.D. Holdings Ltd. (GUD).

Earnings before income taxes and minority interests for the first nine months
of 1998 totaled $35,236,000, up from $29,882,000 in the comparable period last
year.

The provision for income taxes in 1998 was $13,112,000, an effective rate of
37.2%.  Certain of the merger-related costs recorded in 1997 were not fully
deductible for tax purposes which created an unusually high effective tax rate
of 38.9% of pre-tax earnings for the nine-month 1997 period.

Net earnings in the 1998 period were $22,136,000, or $0.91 basic earnings per
share and $0.89 per share on a diluted basis.  The 1997 net earnings for the
nine-month period were $18,150,000, or $0.75 basic and diluted earnings per
share.

Average shares outstanding were 24,366,254 and diluted average shares
outstanding were 24,917,298 at the end of nine months of 1998.  The Company
repurchased and retired 65,000 shares during the 1998 third quarter.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash provided by operating activities for the nine months 1998 totaled
$24,540,000 and included increased net earnings offset by increased investment
in assets, net of liabilities, compared to the first nine months of 1997.  Cash
flows used in investing activities increased in the 1998 nine-month period due
to $7,984,000 used primarily to acquire Air Technologies, Inc. on February 20,
1998 and an Airguard distributor during the 1998 third quarter, and higher
plant asset additions which totaled $10,447,000.  The 1998 period also included
$2,500,000 received as payment on a note receivable and the 1997 period
included the proceeds of $3,322,000 received from the sale of the GUD shares.
Cash flows used by financing activities of $9,641,000 in 1998 included payments
on long-term debt of $2,241,000, cash dividend payments of $8,023,000, and
$1,135,000 for stock repurchases.  The 1997 debt payments of $13,739,000 were
higher due to the required payment schedules and payments on certain high cost
debt assumed in the UAS merger.  The additional borrowing of $1,000,000, which
occurred in first quarter 1997, was related to UAS' use of a line of credit
prior to the merger.

CLARCOR's current operations continue to generate adequate cash to fund
operating needs, pay dividends, and provide for the repayment of the Company's
long-term debt.  Sufficient lines of credit remain available to fund current
operating needs.  Capital expenditures of approximately



                                Page 10 of 14



<PAGE>   12




                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

         OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, Continued

$19,000,000 for fiscal year 1998 will be greater than 1997 as a result of an
expansion to the Kearney, Nebraska facility.  Fourth quarter 1998 capital
expenditures will also include new lithography equipment for the Consumer
Packaging segment and investments to increase manufacturing productivity at
Baldwin and Airguard.

The Company's financial position at the end of the third quarter reflected
increased assets of $19,334,000 to $301,853,000 from fiscal year-end 1997.
Cash and short-term investments totaled $30,886,000 at the end of the quarter,
an increase of $562,000 from year-end.  The current ratio at the end of the
third quarter was 2.8:1, compared to 3.0:1 at the end of fiscal 1997.  The
current year ratio of long-term debt to total capitalization was 16.4% compared
to 18.0%, the level at year-end 1997.

At the end of the third quarter, CLARCOR had 24,395,240 shares of common stock
outstanding which reflected the repurchase and retirement of 65,000 shares
during the third quarter of 1998.  Subsequent to the end of the 1998 third
quarter, additional shares of common stock were repurchased and retired.
During the nine-month period, 216,637 shares were issued related to the
Company's stock incentive plans.

YEAR 2000

For several years the Company has been reviewing Year 2000 issues related to
the impact on its computer systems and operating facilities.  Management has
assigned internal project teams to review all computer operated machinery and
related software to assure that key financial, information and operating
systems have been assessed.  Key suppliers and outside parties that may also
have Year 2000 issues which could impact the Company have been contacted and
have been asked to verify their Year 2000 readiness.  The Company is testing
interaction with such outside party systems where appropriate.  In addition,
the Company has assessed products sold by the Company and believes that there
is no material exposure to contingencies related to the Year 2000 issue;
however, additional testing of date-sensitive components will continue
throughout 1999.  Management believes that all key areas which may be impacted
by the Year 2000 date have been assessed and remediation plans have been
developed.  No significant issues have been identified and the Company has not
incurred any material costs related to the assessment of, and preliminary
efforts in connection with, its Year 2000 issues.

Remediation plans have been developed to address systems modifications and some
of these modifications have already been implemented and tested.  The end of    
the second quarter of 1999 has been set by the Company as a target date for
assuring that all information processing and operating systems have been fully
tested and remediation plans implemented.  Where outside suppliers are not able
to verify their readiness by that date, backup suppliers will be identified.
The Company is developing contingency plans that will address the Company's
exposure to any material failure as a result of noncompliance by third parties;
however, with respect to certain vendors, particularly utility vendors,
alternative suppliers may not be readily available.  Management believes that
the Company is devoting the necessary resources to identify and resolve
significant Year 2000 issues and to minimize the risk of noncompliance in a
timely manner.


                                Page 11 of 14
                                      
                                      


<PAGE>   13
                                       



                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

         OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, Continued

Based on the assessment and remediation plans implemented at this time, the
costs of addressing compliance are not expected to have a material adverse
impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows
in the future.  However, the Year 2000 problem is pervasive and complex as
virtually every computer operation may be affected in some way.  Consequently,
no assurance can be given that Year 2000 compliance can be achieved without
costs that might have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business,
financial condition, results of operation, and business prospects.

OUTLOOK

The Company expects to report a record year in both sales and profits in 1998.
As reported earlier in 1998, the softening in export sales to both Europe and
Asia continued throughout the third quarter.  Though there are indications of a
slowdown in the domestic economy and overseas, most of the Company's
Engine/Mobile Filtration sales are to the heavy-duty aftermarket, which tends
to be more stable and less impacted by economic cycles.  As a result, the
concentration of sales in filtration aftermarkets and limited exposure in Asia
provides the Company with a stable base of business.  Investments at each of
the Company's segments during 1998 in new product development should positively
impact sales and profits in 1999.  For example, in August 1998, a new dust
collector called Supra-Blast was introduced by the Company's United Air
Specialists subsidiary.  This new product is technically improved, more user
friendly and will open additional opportunities in the international
marketplace.  Although potential acquisition candidates continue to be
evaluated, the Company remains cautious and is sensitive to the consequences of
paying too much for unproven future results.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO RISK AND UNCERTAINTY

Certain statements quoted in the body of this report, the Year 2000 discussion
above, and statements in the "Outlook" section of this report are
forward-looking.  These statements involve risk and uncertainty.  Actual future
results and trends may differ materially depending on a variety of factors,
including the volume and timing of orders received during the quarter, the mix
of changes in distribution channels through which the Company's products are
sold, the timing and acceptance of new products and product enhancements by the
Company or its competitors, changes in pricing, product life cycles, purchasing
patterns of distributors and customers, competitive conditions in the industry,
business cycles affecting the markets in which the Company's products are sold,
the effectiveness of plant conversions and productivity improvement programs,
the management of both growth and acquisitions, third-party compliance with
Year 2000 readiness, the Company's internal Year 2000 readiness, extraordinary
events, such as litigation or acquisitions, including related charges, and
economic conditions generally or in various geographic areas.  All of the
foregoing matters are difficult to forecast.  The future results of the Company
may fluctuate as a result of these and the other risk factors detailed from
time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission reports.

Due to the foregoing items, it is possible that, in some future quarters, the
Company's operating results will be below the expectation of some stock market
analysts and investors.  In such event, the price of the CLARCOR common stock
could be materially adversely affected.


                                Page 12 of 14




<PAGE>   14

                                       


Part II - Other Information

Item 6a   -  Exhibit (11), Computations of Per Share Earnings are presented
             in Note 2 to the financial statements.

Item 6b   -  No Form 8-K was filed during the quarter ended August 29, 1998.








                                Page 13 of 14





<PAGE>   15




                                  SIGNATURE



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.





                                 CLARCOR INC.
                                 (Registrant)



   October 12, 1998                 By /s/ Bruce A. Klein
- ----------------------                ----------------------------------------  
     (Date)                           Bruce A. Klein, Vice President - Finance
                                             and Chief Financial Officer







                                Page 14 of 14

                                       


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-28-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-29-1998
<CASH>                                          30,886
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   68,831
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,381
<INVENTORY>                                     61,858
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               166,260
<PP&E>                                         189,224
<DEPRECIATION>                                 105,207
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 301,853
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           58,353
<BONDS>                                         36,713
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        24,395
<OTHER-SE>                                     162,207
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   301,853
<SALES>                                        315,110
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               315,110
<CGS>                                          216,788
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  216,788
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,723
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,766
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,236
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,112
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,136
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,136
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.89
        

</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission